Parents of special education students in the Charles County Public Schools District in Maryland were angered after their students were denied service by Cracker Barrel during a community-based instruction outing. The restaurant refused to serve the group of 11 students and 7 staff members and instructed them to wait outside before eventually receiving their to-go order. The students were treated rudely by staff, and the incident left parents feeling angry, saddened, and worried.
Cracker Barrel issued an apology, citing a staffing challenge that led to confusion in handling the group’s request. The restaurant stated that they are working with the group’s leadership to understand what happened and make amends. However, parents were not satisfied with the apology and one parent, Dustin Reed, organized a protest at the Waldorf Cracker Barrel to raise awareness about the mistreatment of special education students and advocate for inclusivity.
The protest, scheduled for December 15, has garnered support from 45 people on social media. Reed emphasized the importance of recognizing that children with different abilities should not be treated as less than anyone else. The incident has sparked outrage among parents and highlighted the need for a more inclusive and respectful approach towards individuals with special needs.
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